Convertible Blanket Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The Invention is a blanket that may be converted into a tote bag for transporting the blanket and other objects within the tote bag. A pouch portion has a periphery that is attached to the blanket, defining a pouch. The pouch has a first and a second position. In the first position, the pouch and the blanket are generally flat and the tote bag handle is concealed within the pouch. In the second position, the pouch is reversed to form the tote bag with the inside surfaces of the pouch forming the outside surfaces of the tote bag.

I. RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Provisional patent application 60/850,003 by Carol Linn and Scott Linn filed Oct. 6, 2006.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The Invention is a blanket that converts into a tote bag. The tote bag stores the blanket of the Invention and allows other articles to be carried. The conversion of the Invention can be accomplished and can remain in the converted state without the use of fasteners.

B. Description of the related art

Blankets are frequently used for excursions to the beach or to an event to protect the user when sitting on the ground or from the elements. A user traveling to or from the beach or a special event frequently will have a need to transport objects in addition to the blanket, such as towels, sun screen, sandals, toys or other beach paraphernalia. The convertible blanket of the Invention allows conversion of the blanket into a tote bag for carrying the blanket and other objects for beach or event use. The convertible blanket of the invention is not taught by the prior art.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Invention is a convertible blanket that converts into a tote bag and can accomplish and maintain that conversion without fasteners. The Invention includes a blanket portion composed of a flexible fabric, such as wool, cotton, polypropylene or any other suitable material. A pouch portion is composed of any suitable fabric and is smaller than the blanket portion. The pouch portion is affixed to one side of the blanket portion. The blanket portion and the pouch portion in combination define a pouch having an opening. The pouch has a first and a second position. When the pouch is in the first position, the blanket portion is arrayed in a generally flat position, as when the Invention is in use at the beach, and the pouch portion lies flat on or under the blanket portion. In the first position of the pouch, the blanket portion is not folded

When a user desires to store the blanket in the pouch, the user will move the pouch from the first to the second position by turning the pouch inside-out, creating the tote bag. The inside surfaces of the pouch form the outside surfaces of the tote bag when the pouch is in the second position. The act of turning the pouch inside-out automatically pulls a part of the blanket portion into the tote bag. The user folds the remainder of the blanket portion into the tote bag, completing the conversion from blanket to tote bag. Objects, such as beach supplies and accessories, may then be stored in the tote bag.

Conversion of the resulting tote bag into a blanket is a reversal of the above process. The user removes any objects from the tote bag, removes the removable portion of the blanket from the tote bag, and moves the pouch from the second position to the first position by turning the tote-bag outside-in. The outside surfaces of the tote bag, when turned outside-in, become the inside surfaces of the pouch. The resulting blanket may be deployed in a generally flat condition, such as at the beach or an event.

The blanket portion has a rear edge, with the rear edge being the edge of the blanket portion that is proximal to the pouch in a line generally perpendicular to a line coextensive with the opening of the pouch. The part of the blanket portion that is pulled automatically into the inside-out pouch is defined generally by that segment of the blanket portion falling between the line generally coextensive with the opening of the pouch and the rear edge of the blanket portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the pouch portion and the blanket portion are composed of a single piece of fabric. The pouch portion is defined by a rear-edge fold of the blanket portion, with the fold segregating the blanket portion from the pouch portion. The rear edge of the blanket portion is defined by the rear-edge fold.

The pouch may be equipped with carrying handles that are arrayed on the inside of the pouch when the pouch is in the first position and that are revealed on the outside of the tote bag when the pouch is in the second position. The opening of the pouch may be equipped with a fastener to retain the pouch in a closed condition when the blanket portion is deployed in the generally flat condition.

The Invention may be equipped with other features, such as pockets in each corner of the blanket portion to receive weights (which may be shoes, beach supplies or any other suitable weight) to restrain motion of the blanket portion against wind or other disturbance when the pouch is in the first position. The blanket portion also may be configured with additional pockets to hold supplies when the Invention is converted to a tote bag.

The pouch may be used when the pouch is in the first position, as when the beach portion is generally flat on a beach. For example, a towel or other pad may be placed within the pouch to form a pillow.

The opening of the pouch may be defined in either of two ways. First, the pouch portion may be attached to the blanket portion along the full periphery of the pouch portion so that there are no gaps along that periphery. The opening for this first option is defined by the blanket portion, in a construction technique known in the art as an ‘inset pocket.’ As a second alternative, only a portion of the periphery of the pouch portion may be attached to the blanket portion, with the portion of the periphery of the pouch portion that is not attached defining the opening, using a construction technique known in the art as a ‘patch pocket.’ Either construction technique is contemplated by the Invention.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is a plan view of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the turning of the embodiment of FIG. 1 inside-out.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the pouch turned inside out.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the Invention, with conversion to a tote bag completed.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 for the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a second sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a second sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 for the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the turning of the embodiment of FIG. 11 inside-out.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 11, with the pouch turned inside out.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6, the converted tote bag, for the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a second sectional view corresponding to FIG. 14

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a pouch construction technique.

FIG. 19 is a partial cutaway of a second pouch construction technique.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the tote bag.

FIG. 21 is a perspective detail view of the Invention.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

The Invention is a blanket that is convertible to a tote bag and for which the conversion between blanket and tote bag can be accomplished without the use of fasteners. The convertible blanket of the Invention is particularly useful for the beach or for use at an event, such as an outdoor concert or football game.

FIGS. 1-18 show the Invention as constructed by the patch pocket construction technique, which is shown for the purpose of illustrating the principals of operation of the Invention. The inset pocket technique also may be used for construction of the Invention, as shown by FIG. 19 and as discussed below relating to that figure.

A first embodiment of the convertible blanket 2 of the Invention is depicted by FIGS. 1-8. A blanket portion 4 is composed of a fabric, such as polypropylene, wool, cotton, or any other suitable flexible material. A pouch portion 6 is composed of any suitable flexible fabric and is attached to the blanket portion 4. The pouch portion 6 may be attached to the blanket portion 4 by any suitable means, including sewing, thermal welding or adhesive bonding. In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 1-8, the pouch portion 6 is attached to the blanket portion 4 by stitching 8 to form pouch 10. Stitching 8 is closed on three sides of pouch portion 6. Pouch portion 6 and blanket portion 4 in combination define pouch 10.

Pouch 10 has a first pouch side 3, defined by pouch portion 6, and a second pouch side 5 defined by a part of blanket portion 4. Pouch portion 6 has a periphery 7. Pouch 10 is defined by the attachment at periphery 7 of pouch portion 6 to blanket portion 4. Opening 12 is defined by the remaining side of pouch portion 6 that is not stitched to blanket portion 4. Pouch 10 has a first interior surface 9 defined by the pouch portion 6 and a second interior surface 11 defined by second pouch side 5.

Pouch 10 has two positions. The first pouch position is illustrated by FIGS. 1, 2, 9, 11, 12, 18, 19, 22 and 23 for different embodiments of the Invention. In the first position, the blanket portion 4 is generally flat; that is, blanket portion 4 does not have folds 13. The second position of the pouch 10 is illustrated by FIG. 20 as a perspective view and for different embodiments by the detail section views of FIGS. 6, 7 and 16. Transition positions between the first and second positions are illustrated by FIGS. 3-5, 8, 4, 13-15, 17 and 21.

In the first position of pouch 10 and as illustrated by FIGS. 9 and 11, pouch portion 6 has a first pouch portion edge 27 and a second pouch portion edge 29. First and second pouch portion edges 27, 29 generally are parallel to rear blanket edge 20 defined by blanket portion 4. First pouch portion edge 27 is not attached to blanket portion 4, forming opening 12. Second pouch portion edge 29 is attached to blanket portion 4, and may be intermediate between first pouch portion edge 27 and blanket rear edge 20. Second pouch edge 29 may be congruent with rear blanket edge 20, as illustrated by FIGS. 1, 9, 22 and 23.

In the second position, the pouch 10 is reversed by turning the pouch 10 inside-out through opening 12 to form tote bag 16. The process of reversing the pouch 10 involves pulling the first pouch interior surface 9 and the second pouch interior surface 11 through opening 12 to form tote bag 16. The first and second pouch interior surfaces 9, 11 then define a tote bag first exterior surface 15 and a tote bag second exterior surface 17. The remainder of blanket portion 4, except the part of blanket portion 4 defining second pouch side 5, may be folded into the tote bag 16 for convenient transportation. Even if the blanket portion 4 is placed into the tote bag 16 without careful folding, the blanket portion 4 will have many folds 13 when the blanket portion 4 is inside the tote bag 16.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along section line A-A of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates pouch 10 and opening 12 defined by blanket portion 4 and pouch portion 6. FIG. 2 also illustrates second pouch side 5 defined by blanket portion 4, first pouch side 3 defined by pouch portion 6 and first and second interior pouch surfaces 9, 11.

FIG. 3 is the sectional view of FIG. 2 upon initiating the process of turning pouch 10 inside-out. The pouch 10 is pulled through opening 12, as shown by arrow 14.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of convertible blanket 2 after pouch 10 has been pulled inside-out, forming tote bag 16. A part 18 of blanket portion 4 is pulled automatically in to tote bag 16 when pouch 10 is turned inside out.

For clarity of representation of the construction and operation of the Invention, blanket portion 4 is shown by FIG. 4 and the remaining figures as being folded. Although blanket portion 4 may be folded during conversion of the convertible blanket 2, folding is not required.

FIG. 5 is a cross section along section line B-B of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows the part 18 of the blanket portion 4 that is automatically pulled inside tote bag 16 when pouch 10 is turned inside out. From FIG. 1, the part 18 of the blanket portion 4 that is automatically pulled into tote bag 16 is the section of the blanket portion 4 that lies generally between rear edge 20 of blanket portion 4 and a line 22 generally coextensive with opening 12. FIG. 5 also illustrates the tote bag 16 first exterior surface 15 and tote bag second exterior surface 17.

FIG. 8 is a cross section along section line C-C of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 shows blanket portion 4 that is not automatically pulled into tote bag 16 having folds 13.

As shown by FIGS. 6 and 7, a user will fold the remaining section of blanket portion 4 into tote bag 16. FIG. 6 shows tote bag 16 with blanket portion fully stored, including folds 13. FIG. 7 is a sectional view along section line D-D of FIG. 6 and shows the blanket portion 4 stored within tote bag 16. FIG. 7 shows the layers of blanket portion 4 as being separated for purposes of illustration. In actual use, the layers of blanket portion 4 are in close proximity within tote bag 16 and allow space for other objects in tote bag 16.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a second embodiment of the Invention. FIGS. 2-7 also apply to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 9 and 10. In the embodiment shown by FIGS. 9, 10 and FIGS. 2-7, pouch portion 6 is attached to blanket portion 4 in one corner 31 of blanket portion 4 by stitching 8. Pouch portion 6 and blanket portion 4 in combination define pouch 10 having opening 12. For this second embodiment, the cross section of FIG. 2 is along section line A-A shown by FIG. 9, as is the cross section of FIG. 3. Again, FIG. 3 shows the pouch 10 in the process of being turned inside-out. In the second embodiment, FIG. 4 shows the tote bag 16 resulting when the pouch 10 is turned fully inside-out. FIG. 5 again is a cross section along section line B-B of FIG. 4, showing the tote bag 16 and the blanket portion 4 after the pouch 10 is turned inside-out to form tote bag 16. For the second embodiment, the user will fold the remainder of blanket portion 4 into tote bag 16. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the tote bag 16 with the blanket portion 4 fully stored within tote bag 16. FIG. 7 is a cross section along section line D-D of FIG. 6, showing blanket portion 4 of the second embodiment fully stored within tote bag 16. FIG. 10 is a cross section along section line C-C of FIG. 4 for the second embodiment. The part 18 of blanket portion 4 that is automatically pulled inside tote bag 16 when pouch 10 is turned inside-out is again defined generally by the rear edge 20 of blanket portion 4 and by a line 22 generally coextensive with opening 12.

FIGS. 11-17 show a third embodiment of the Invention. In the third embodiment as shown by FIG. 11, pouch portion 6 is again attached to blanket portion 4, but pouch portion 6 is not attached contiguous with rear edge 20 of blanket portion 4. Pouch portion 6 instead is attached to blanket portion 4 a distance 24 from rear edge 20. FIG. 12 is a cross section at section line E-E of FIG. 11, showing blanket portion, pouch portion 6, pouch 10 and opening 12. FIG. 13 is the cross section of FIG. 12 after commencement of the process of turning pouch 10 inside-out, or ‘reversing’ pouch 10, as shown by arrow 14. Pouch portion 6 may occupy any location on blanket portion 4.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing tote bag 16 formed after pouch 10 is turned inside-out, but prior to folding the remainder of blanket portion into tote bag 16. FIG. 15 is a section view along section line F-F of FIG. 14 and shows tote bag 16 and the part 18 of blanket portion 4 automatically pulled into tote bag 16 when pouch 10 is turned inside out. For the third embodiment and as shown by FIG. 11, the part 18 of blanket portion 4 that is automatically pulled into tote bag 16 when pouch 10 is turned inside out is defined by a line 22 generally contiguous with opening 12 of pouch 10 and by the rear edge 20 of blanket portion 4. From FIG. 11, pouch 10 has a depth 26. Distance 24 preferably is less than or equal to pouch depth 26, so that the part 18 of blanket portion 4 that is drawn automatically into tote bag 16 does not extend above the opening 12 of the tote bag 16 when the convertible blanket 2 of the Invention is converted to tote bag 16.

FIG. 6 again shows the tote bag 16 with the blanket portion 4 fully stored inside. FIG. 16 is a cross section for the third embodiment along section line D-D of FIG. 6. FIG. 17 is a cross section along section line G-G of FIG. 14 for the third embodiment.

As noted previously, FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate two construction techniques for pouch 10. FIG. 18 is a perspective view and illustrates the ‘patch pocket’ technique and is used in this application to more easily illustrate the principals of operation of the Invention. FIG. 19 is a partial cutaway view and illustrates the ‘inset pocket’ technique. In the ‘patch pocket’ technique of FIG. 18, a pouch portion 6 is affixed to blanket portion 4 by stitching 8 along periphery 7. One side of pouch portion 6 is not stitched and defines opening 12 into pouch 10.

In the ‘inset pocket’ technique illustrated by the partial cutaway view of FIG. 19, the entire periphery 7 of pouch portion 6 is affixed to blanket portion 4 by stitching 8 to define pouch 10. Opening 12 is defined by a slit or other opening communicating through blanket portion 4.

FIG. 18 also illustrates corner pockets 28 to hold weights to restrain motion of the convertible blanket 2 when the convertible blanket 2 is in the deployed position. Weights can comprise any suitable object, such as beach supplies.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of pouch 10 in the second position, defining the tote bag 16, with the blanket portion 4 stored inside the tote bag 16. Carrying straps 30 and tote bag pockets 32 appear on the tote bag first and second exterior surfaces 15, 17. FIG. 20 also illustrates opening 12 allowing access to the blanket portion 4 and objects within the interior volume 19 of tote bag 16.

As shown by FIG. 20, the tote bag 16 defines a tote bag interior volume 19 in which any objects to be placed. For example beach supplies or a picnic lunch may be transported in the tote bag 16, along with blanket portion 4. Tote bag 16 has a tote bag interior surface 23 against which objects may be placed. The tote bag interior surface 23 may be defined by the folded blanket portion 4 or by the pouch portion 6. The tote bag interior surface 23 also may be defined by parts of the blanket portion 4 other than the second pouch side 5.

FIG. 21 is a perspective detail of the convertible blanket 2 with pouch 10 in transition to the first position. FIG. 21 shows a blanket portion 4 defining opening 12 and pouch interior volume 21. Carrying strap 30 and auxiliary pockets 32 are visible on the inside of pouch 10 through opening 12. Straps 30 are tucked into pouch 10 when the convertible blanket 2 is in the second position. Pouch 10 also may be filled with an object such as a towel to form a pillow for a user.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a preferred embodiment. FIG. 22 is a plan view and FIG. 23 is a perspective view. In the preferred embodiment, rear blanket edge 20 is defined by a rear blanket edge fold in blanket portion 4, so that blanket portion 4 and pouch portion 6 are both comprised of a single piece of fabric. Corner pockets 28 that are proximal to pouch 10 also are comprised of the single piece of fabric. Stitching 8 holds the fabric in position and defines pouch portion 6 and corner portions 28 proximal to pouch portion 6. Two corners are cut from the single piece of fabric and used to create corner pockets 28 distal to pouch portion 6. Stitching 8 holds and defines the corner pockets 28 distal to pouch portion 6. The preferred embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 22 and 23 transforms into tote bag 16 as described above with respect to FIGS. 3 through 8

Using the construction technique of FIGS. 22 and 23, the blanket portion 4, pouch portion 6 and corner pockets 28 all can be created from the same piece of fabric with minimal cutting and sewing and with no waste of fabric.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 22 and 23, the pouch portion second edge 29 is coincident with the blanket rear edge 20. As used in the claims, the blanket rear edge fold, dividing a single piece of fabric into the blanket portion 4 and the pouch portion 6 referred to above, is not a fold 13. The term ‘fold’ 13 means the doubling back upon itself of the blanket portion 4 to fit the blanket portion 4 into the tote bag 16 formed by reversing the pouch 10.

In describing the above embodiments of the invention, specific terminology was selected for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 

1. A convertible blanket apparatus, the convertible blanket apparatus comprising: a. a pouch having a first pouch side, a second pouch side and a periphery, said first and said second pouch sides being joined at said periphery to define said pouch; b. a pouch portion, said pouch portion defining said first pouch side, said pouch portion being composed of a flexible fabric; c. a blanket portion, said blanket portion defining said second pouch side, said blanket portion being composed of said flexible fabric; d. said pouch having a first position, said pouch when in said first position having a first interior surface and a second interior surface, said first interior surface being defined by said pouch portion, said second interior surface being defined by said blanket portion, said blanket portion not defining a fold when said pouch is in said first position; e. said pouch having a second position, said pouch when in said second position defining a tote bag, said tote bag having a tote bag first exterior surface and a tote bag second exterior surface, said tote bag first exterior surface being defined by said first interior surface of said pouch, said tote bag second exterior surface being defined by said second interior surface of said pouch, said tote bag defining a tote bag interior volume, said blanket portion other than said second side of said pouch being contained within said tote bag interior volume when said pouch is in said second position, said blanket portion defining a plurality of said folds when said pouch is in said second position.
 2. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pouch defines an opening, said pouch further defining a pouch interior volume when said pouch is in said first position, the apparatus further comprising: a handle, said handle being contained within said pouch interior volume when said pouch is in said first position, said handle being substantially external to said tote bag interior volume when said pouch is in said second position.
 3. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 2 wherein said periphery of said pouch portion and said blanket portion in combination define said opening.
 4. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 2 wherein said blanket portion defines said opening.
 5. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 2 wherein said tote bag defines a tote bag interior surface to receive an object placed within said tote bag interior volume of said tote bag, said tote bag interior surface comprising: said blanket portion contained within said tote bag.
 6. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 5 wherein said tote bag interior surface further comprises: said pouch portion.
 7. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 2 wherein said blanket portion is substantially rectangular, said blanket portion defining a rear blanket edge, said pouch portion being substantially rectangular, said periphery of said pouch portion defining first and second pouch portion edges, said first pouch portion edge in combination with said blanket portion defining said opening, said first pouch portion edge being generally parallel to said rear blanket edge when said pouch is in said first position, said second pouch portion edge being generally parallel to said rear blanket edge when said pouch portion is in said first position, said second pouch edge being attached to said blanket portion intermediate between said first pouch portion edge and said rear blanket edge.
 8. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 2 wherein said blanket portion is substantially rectangular, said blanket portion defining a rear blanket edge, said pouch portion being substantially rectangular, said periphery of said pouch portion defining first and second pouch portion edges, said first pouch portion edge in combination with said blanket portion defining said opening, said first pouch portion edge being generally parallel to said rear blanket edge when said pouch is in said first position, said second pouch portion edge being generally coincident with said rear blanket edge when said pouch portion is in said first position.
 9. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 2 wherein said blanket portion defines a plurality of corners, the apparatus further comprising: a. a plurality of corner pockets, each of said plurality of corner pockets being attached to said blanket portion at a one of said plurality of corners to receive a weight to hold said blanket portion in place in said first position; b. a plurality of tote bag pockets, each of said plurality of tote bag pockets being attached to a one of said tote bag first exterior surface and said tote bag second exterior surface.
 10. A convertible blanket apparatus, the convertible blanket apparatus comprising: a. a pouch having a first pouch side, a second pouch side and a periphery, said first and said second pouch sides being joined at said periphery to define said pouch; b. a pouch portion, said pouch portion defining said first pouch side; c. a blanket portion, said blanket portion defining said second pouch side, said pouch portion and said blanket portion being composed of a single piece of a flexible fabric, a rear edge fold in said single piece of said flexible fabric separating said first pouch side and said second pouch side; d. said pouch having a first position, said pouch when in said first position having a first interior surface and a second interior surface, said first interior surface being defined by said pouch portion, said second interior surface being defined by said blanket portion; e. said pouch having a second position, said pouch when in said second position defining a tote bag, said tote bag having a tote bag first exterior surface and a tote bag second exterior surface, said tote bag first exterior surface being defined by said first interior surface of said pouch, said tote bag second exterior surface being defined by said second interior surface of said pouch, said tote bag defining a tote bag interior volume, said blanket portion other than said first side of said pouch being contained within said tote bag interior volume when said pouch is in said second position, said blanket portion defining a plurality of said folds when said pouch is in said second position.
 11. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pouch defines an opening, said pouch further defining a pouch interior volume when said pouch is in said first position, the apparatus further comprising: a handle, said handle being contained within said pouch interior volume when said pouch is in said first position, said handle being substantially external to said tote bag interior volume when said pouch is in said second position.
 12. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 11 wherein said periphery of said pouch portion and said blanket portion in combination define said opening.
 13. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 11 wherein said blanket portion defines said opening.
 14. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 11 wherein said tote bag defines a tote bag interior surface to receive an object placed within said tote bag interior volume of said tote bag, said tote bag interior surface comprising: said blanket portion contained within said tote bag.
 15. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 14 wherein said tote bag interior surface further comprises: said pouch portion.
 16. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 11 wherein said blanket portion is substantially rectangular, said blanket portion defining a rear blanket edge, said pouch portion being substantially rectangular, said periphery of said pouch portion defining first and second pouch portion edges, said first pouch portion edge in combination with said blanket portion defining said opening, said first pouch portion edge being substantially parallel to said rear blanket edge when said pouch is in said first position, said second pouch portion edge being coincident with said rear blanket edge when said pouch portion is in said first position.
 17. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 16 wherein said blanket portion defines four corners, the apparatus further comprising: four corner pockets, each of said plurality of corner pockets being attached to said blanket portion at a one of said plurality of corners to receive a weight to hold said blanket portion in place in said first position, two of said corner pockets being adjacent to said pouch portion, said two of said corner pockets adjacent to said pouch portion being composed of said single piece of flexible fabric.
 18. The convertible blanket apparatus of claim 16 further comprising: a plurality of tote bag pockets, each of said plurality of tote bag pockets being attached to a one of said tote bag first exterior surface and said tote bag second exterior surface. 